Trail Talk – July 2020

Summer is upon us. We can only hope for occasional rain to dampen our extreme fire season and keep the smoke from our skies. Dry, dusty conditions under a blazing sun do little to entice our walkabout mojo into action. But to be out and about during a rare summer shower, or just after—now that is the elixir that fires-up our urge to be afoot on fresh-watered trails.

With this year’s scant snowpack, our high-elevation trails are open much earlier than the historical norm. And as the wildflower show on our lower trails has had its curtain drawn for the season, now we look a bit farther afield to enjoy the tapestry of native blooms. The high country beckons.

We are lucky indeed to live in the shadow of the Klamath and Cascade Mountains. Our local Siskiyou Range arising at our backdoor, so to speak, boasts many elevations that carry snow into the early summer. These melting snowpacks provide the water, with the intense, high-altitude sunlight, and a short growing season combining to produce wildflower displays that must be witnessed to be believed. And where there are summer blooms, there are summer butterflies.

If one is inclined to take a drive into the high country to appreciate these blooms, anywhere along the Siskiyou Crest from Mt. Ashland westward promises fulfillment. But to really get up close and personal, park the car in a shady area at a trailhead and hike. The Pacific Crest Trail follows the Siskiyou Crest for over 50 miles, weaving from north-facing to south-facing slopes, providing panoramic views of the Rogue and Applegate Valleys to the north and the Klamath Province and Mt. Shasta to the south.

For valley dwellers, many of the native blooms seem exotic, and discovering new things is a justifiable reason to take a little extra time finding one’s way to one’s destination. For those who might want to know names of new flowers, guides are available at local bookstores and hiking shops. But as we are reminded by so many nature writers, the appropriate answer to, “What is this flower’s name?” is simply “Man calls it a such and such, but what its name truly is, no one knows.” In other words, enjoy the blooms for their own sake, much like the fluttering butterflies and buzzing bees, for the true essence is never found in a name. Find yourself on a new trail this summer—it’s a great season for exploration.

Special Note: Because of some unregulated equestrian traffic in the Forest Park, trails and other infrastructure have been damaged, requiring many hours of repair work. Sadly, some riders have ignored signs that ask that some trails be reserved for hikers and bikers only. Because of this, Public Works has temporarily closed the park to horse riding and is currently working with equestrian groups to develop a satisfactory route for horse traffic in Forest Park. Work will occur during the fall trail-building season, and, if all goes well, May 1, 2021 will see the park open for equestrian use on a designated route. (Please see this notice on the matter from Public Works Director, Max Woody.)